Letters To The Editor

November 22, 1997

FAILING HITLER'S LESSON

It seems we learn little from history. The drama unfolding on the international stage promises to provide further proof of my contention.

What a parallel history provides for the crisis with Iraq. Another place, another time, another country the world defeated - and then imposed stifling sanctions and controls. In fact, the world body dictated the number of troops this defeated country could have, the number of ships and planes it could build and the very way it could conduct its affairs.

Rather than prevent another war, however, these conditions served as a catalyst to propel a nationalist to prominence and Adolf Hitler skillfully manipulated a population suffering with the heel of the world on its throat. The rest indeed is history. Germany rose with a vengeance and already the world has forgotten.

After the Iraqi war, U.S. policy was designed to destabilize the Iraqi people through economic deprivation, hoping this would lead to a political coup. Nearly seven years later, it is safe to assume that Saddam Hussein is not going anywhere. The populace continues to suffer, and we are probably creating a catalyst for Saddam's growing stability as a leader. As with Hitler, we are making it easy for Saddam to quell the forces of moderation in the country and to rally the people around his latest slogan, ``Sacrifice rather than slavery.''

Michael McCormick

Williamsburg

VOTERS SEDUCED

Election Day was a sad day for Virginia citizens who know the difference between politicalspeak and wanting government to change because they are fed up with the system. A candidate won the governor's race primarily on the idea of ending the personal property tax.

What the candidate failed to tell the voters is that he is only a mouthpiece and couldn't end this tax unless the local voters did their job and voted the tax out. No elected official has the power to automatically stop any tax. Sad is the state of our commonwealth, because many of the voters jumped on a political wagon without giving credence to the thought that the way to change government is to elect officials who represent them and their political ideology.

To you who voted for Jim Gilmore because you knew him to espouse a political philosophy you believe in, good for you. To you who voted for Gilmore because you wanted him to fix a system for you, and in doing so gave away your own power, shame on you. Next election, study the issues and vote your conscience. Please do not give power to those who use the system to seduce unknowing people to an idea that has a false message.

Barbara Bailey

Gloucester

THE REAL BRIGHT LIGHT

What was the rationale for the Daily Press' Oct. 18 printing of that stupid article on the front page about a letter to President Clinton being returned? The accompanying illustration shows the text to be (a) mean/stupid, (b) a hoax/stupid, (c) a lie/stupid and (d) all of the above.

* Text: The Enfield girl printed the address clearly. Illustration: It is in type.

* Text: She didn't post it with a ZIP code. Illustration: Her return address does not show a street address or a ZIP code, but it was returned - no problem. How big is Enfield?

* Illustration: Note the cancellation, ``UNITED STATES POST OFFICE,'' with no city or date. Hoax stuff?

* The postage stamp is a 29-cent Elvis.

Honest - the options were to return to sender or to deliver it to the president with a ``POSTAGE DUE'' stamp. Seems like the postal employee is the only bright light in a string of dim bulbs.

Helen Savedge

Surry

FIXING THE UNBROKEN

So Felicia Mason thinks the post office has turned into a gift shop. Let's look at the facts since the politicians decided to reorganize the post office and make more money in the name of free enterprise.

Fifty years ago, you could mail a letter in the morning to a local address, and it would be received that afternoon. The mailman rode on the local bus or trolley to get to his route. The only goal was to deliver the mail quickly.

Then the politicians decided to revamp the system, while in the meantime helping businesses make more money. In the name of progress, trucks, scooters, and cars were purchased, and as a reward for political donations and support, businesses such as United Parcel Service and Federal Express were permitted to make deliveries. Although it was illegal for children to deliver Christmas cards in their neighborhood for a small donation, it was all right to have Porch Plus and others make deliveries.

Now that the post office is just another business, it has learned to diversify to survive the competition. This is just another example of what happens when we fix something that isn't broken. Prices go up although the service has not improved.

Thomas L. Owens

Hampton

UNDUE INFLUENCE

I thought the Daily Press was a drug-free workplace, but the Nov. 9 lead editorial makes me think that someone there should be tested.

First, Newport News officials would have been just as close to Allen Face had he won. After Sen. Hunter Andrews' defeat two years ago, they switched.

Second, Del. Alan Diamonstein's district does not include the entire city of Newport News. I think some incumbents, especially those in the middle and northern city, will think differently when they run in their home districts.

Finally, to say a person turned back a strong challenge belies the facts in Susan Friend's columns.

Diamonstein spent $400,000, almost 10 times the amount of his challenger, and changed the minds of only 800 voters. I don't know what they call it in the South, but back in Boston, that's a heap of money.